Universities must promote free speech and open minds, Universities Minister Jo Johnson says
Written by News on 26/12/2017
Universities should promote free speech in order to become places that “open minds, not close them”, the Universities Minister has warned.
Jo Johnson believes students must be able to challenge controversial opinions because there are dangers to shielding students from differing views under the banner of “no-platforming” or “safe spaces”.
Mr Johnson will warn that free speech is a key part of university life when he speaks at the Limmud Festival in Birmingham, a celebration of Jewish learning and culture.
“Universities should be places that open minds, not close them, where ideas can be freely challenged,” he will say.
“In universities in America and worryingly in the UK, we have seen examples of groups seeking to stifle those who do not agree with them.
“We must not allow this to happen.”
He will warn that young people should have the “resilience and confidence” to challenge controversial opinions and be able to have “open, frank and rigorous discussions”.
However, he will add that institutions must ensure there is no place for hatred, discrimination, extremism or racism.
“A racist or anti-Semitic environment is by definition an illiberal one that is completely in opposition to the liberal tradition of our universities,” he will tell the festival.
Mr Johnson will say a new regulator, the Office for Students, “will go even further to ensure that universities promote freedom of speech within the law.”
Under government plans, universities that fail to protect free speech risk possible sanction.
The proposals, which are open for consultation, could also see universities facing fines, suspension and deregulation.
Alistair Jarvis, chief executive of Universities UK, said: “Universities are absolutely committed to promoting and securing free speech and will not allow legitimate speech to be stifled.
“There is already a legal duty on the higher education sector to secure free speech within the law and universities take these responsibilities very seriously.”
(c) Sky News 2017: Universities must promote free speech and open minds, Universities Minister Jo Johnson says
